Fuel-saving hot-air furnace



Oct. 9, 1951 A. E. MOCLURE 2,570,580

FUEL-SAVING HOT AIR FURNACE Filed March 14, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2/ i 39.4; Q i

0 0 0 3 0 0 o z t i u i r I /4 5 4 /4 I 4 3/3 Q 3 Patented st. 9, 1951 UNETED STATES earner @FFICE I 2,570,580 r I FUEL-sauna HOT-AIR FURNACE Alfred 'E. McClure, Marne, Mich. Application March 14, 194-9, Serial No. 81,360.

2 Claims. (Cl. 126-99) Another object of the invention is the novel construction of a furnace Which-will utilize the maximum amount ,of heatin the fuel.

A still further object ofthe invention is the mprovement of the construction of the furnace in which the fire contacts a greater radiation surface, which enables a maximum amount of hot air to be produced by a relatively small amount of fuel consumed.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a furnace which has an efficient radiator construction, including the general fire-box construction, whereby a highl eflicient heatin system is produced.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing the preferred type of the furnace in vertical central section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View, taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, partly shown in elevation and partly shown in vertical section.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the furnace shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, in Figures 1 to 3, l designates the vertical furnace casing, which is enclosed by jacket 2. Extending partly around the furnace casing l is a radiator 3, which is positioned near the bottom of the furnace casing i. This radiator is divided by a horizontal partition into an upper compartment 5 and a lower compartment s. As seen in Fig. 3, the partition d terminates short of the outer ends of the radiator 3, whereby smoke and gases can pass from compartment 5 into compartment 6 and thence out through smoke pipe l into the chimney 8. On the outer ends of the substantially U-shaped radiator 3 (Fig. 2) are cleanout doors 9. The furnace jacket 2 is provided with a cold air inlet ill, Fig. 1, and is also provided with an ordinary ash door ll, whereby 2 access to the ashpit may be secured. It is to be understood that cold air entering the furnace at the air inlet Hi, Fig. 1, will be heated and after which it will enter pipe 2 la.

The furnace casing l is also'provided witha fuel door l2, whereby access to the fire-box' l3, Fig. l, is obtained.

A plurality of hollow, vertical ribs M are provided. A vertical tube I5 is integral with each side of a respective rib M. The lower ends of the ribs M are closed by a plate-like member M a. I

These tubes l5 open at their upper ends into the furnace casing and communicate at "their lowest ends with the upper compartment 5 of "the radiator 3. The radiator 3 is supported by angle brackets is fastened to the side of the furnace casing 5. By reason of the efiicient construction of the hollow, vertical ribs !4 and tubes [5, said tubes perform a dual function, to wit, they close the space between the sides of the hollow ribs l4 and also conduct the smoke and gases from the interior of the furnace casing to the radiator 3. Further, this novel construction presents an increased area of metal for the flames and heat to affect, thereby giving a greater amount of radiation surface, with a minimum amount of fuel being used.

Of course, it will be understood that the space at the bottom between each two contiguous sides of each rib is closed by members Ma, so that no smoke or gases can pass downward, but must enter the tubes I5 to escape through the radiator 3 to the chimney 8. a

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the same general structure is involved, with the exception that the radiator 3a is made of round or pipe-like portions. The upper pipe-like portion ll opens into the lower pipe-like portion I8. A cleanout door 9 is provided for each end of the radiator 3a.

As the radiator is at the bottom of the furnace, the cold air hits the bottom of the radia-- tor first, which cools the contents of the lower compartment of the radiator before it enters the chimney. This radiator will be cool all the time, causing a great saving in fuel. Therefore, the heat loss should be less than 10%.

In the round or pipe-like structure of the radiator 3a the result will be highly satisfactory because the radiator is divided by a space I9, Fig. 5, leaving only the forward end 2!! closed.

The fire-box l3 and grate 2| may be of any desired construction that will cooperate with the rest of the elements of this furnace for the best possible results.

The jacket 2 provided with a hot air outlet service pipe Zla, Fig. 1. The radiator 3a is of a substantially U-shaped structure, the same as radiator 3.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a furnace of the class described, the combination with a vertical furnace casing having a fire-box, of a horizontal, substantially U- shaped radiator partly around the lower portion of said fire-box, said radiator provided with upper and lower communicating compartments, brackets fastened to said furnace casing and being under and supporting said radiator, said furnace casing provided with cleanout means at the ends of said radiator, said casing provided with a fuel door above said radiator, said furnace casing provided with outwardly-extending hollow, vertical ribs, means forming a vertical tube integral with each side of a respective rib, a jacket provided with an outlet pipe enclosing said furnace casing, and said tubes opening at their upper ends into said furnace casing and at their lower ends into said upper compartment of said radiator.

2. In a furnace of the class described, the combination with a vertical furnace casing, a fire-box in said furnace casing, a jacket surrounding said furnace casing, of a U-shaped ALFRED E. MCCLURE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 156,065 Rubel Oct. 20, 1874 1,035,599 Kemp Aug. 13, 1912 1,837,485 Rember Dec. 22, 1931 1,915,132 Langford June 20, 1933 2,075,485 Turner Mar. 30, 1937 

